Sony: Vita is all about games

Despite its gamescom celebration of the handheld's social network functions, Sony is putting games first with Vita.

"The core principle is to provide the best portable gaming experience possible. It's as simple as that," SCEE's Jim Ryan said in the latest issue of EDGE, as reported by CVG.

Ryan said Sony sees the Vita as a "true digital device" like the PlayStation 3 rather than more isolated systems like the PSP and PS2, and is keen to see how it develops as a platform.

"Where it ends up is going to be hard to tell at this stage but it's of considerable interest to us," he said.

But despite the emphasis on networking, Ryan commented that the Vita has something in common with its elderly precursors.

"To the extent that PSP targeted the core gamer who was after a good gaming experience, the philosophy is basically the same," he said.

"But I think the nature of [Vita] allows us to provide a differentiated gaming experience in a manner that the design of PSP simply did not allow."

Thanks, GamesRadar.